ATLANTA — Sergio Romo, a top setup man and perhaps baseball's most dominant right-handed specialist, is likely headed to the disabled list with inflammation in the back of his right elbow.

Tests ruled out structural damage, but Romo was unavailable for the fifth consecutive game. He hasn't pitched since Aug. 9, when he felt something in his elbow while throwing a pitch to Derrek Lee.

"Sure, it's a concern," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "You get a little time and you're not getting to where you want to be ... it becomes a possibility to go on the DL. That's a call well have to make here real soon."

Earlier in that Aug. 9 game, Romo snapped a streak in which he retired 31 consecutive hitters — a perfect game, essentially, plus four more, over a little more than a month. Romo was just the fifth major league reliever since 1919 to throw at least nine consecutive perfect innings.

That's in addition to his flat-out ridiculous stats: A 1.67 ERA, a 53-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio (in 37.2 innings) and .120 opponent's average against right-handed hitters.

"Baseball is a humbling game," said Romo, who couldn't return until Aug. 25 if he goes on the DL.

Pat Burrell said he is putting off surgery on his right foot that would end his career, instead hoping medication and treatment can make the pain tolerable enough to help as a bench player in September.

At the deadline to sign draft picks, the Giants came to terms with their top 13 selections and 27 of their first 31. Among them was Oregon State catcher Andrew Susac, who was considered a steal as a second-rounder. Baseball America reported that Susac received first-round money — a $1.1 million bonus.

Good thing Buster Posey can put weight on his left ankle now. He'll be on the move tending to a growing family after he and his wife, Kristen, welcomed twins (a boy, Lee Dempsey, and a girl, Addison Lyn) on Sunday morning.